Bal Vihar Students Graduate at the Chinmaya Mission
By Uma Aggarwal and Jesal Patel
Last Updated: July 04, 2008

Chinmaya Mission Bal Vihar Class of 2008 with Acharya Gaurangbhai and Darshanaben Nanavaty. Photo by Nilesh Shah.

HOUSTON: “Satyam Vada, Dharmam Cara!,” meaning speak the Truth and follow the Dharma, the teachings of Taittiriya Upanisad were resonating in Chimnaya Mission Sunday at 10:00am on June 8th. It was a very special day for all the seniors of Bala Vihar. It was Graduation day. Like any other Graduation Ceremony, the hall was filled with parents and relatives who sat proudly waiting for the their child’s turn to come on stage. However, there was something different at this Graduation. The ceremony was a blending of east and west in a very harmonious way.

The graduation program started with a special Puja performed by Bri. Bhasaji and Sri Ganeshji at Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya at Chinmaya Mission. All the graduates dressed up in their best, colorful Indian outfits, walked in a procession lead by Acarya Sri Gaurang and Smt. Darshana Nanavaty with traditional vaidik chants to Chinamaya Smriti Hall after the puja. Mrs. Bharati Akahve, the Master of Ceremony for the day congratulated all the graduates and honored them with term ABCD -- Aware, Bestowed, Challenged Desi, Aware of their spiritual strength, Bestowed with Academic strength, Challenged to outdo themselves at every stage and proud of their Desi heritage and rich cultural roots. With the tender guidance of parents and teachers the students have been moulded and nurtured to progress in the right direction.

Acharya Sri Gaurang Nanavaty gave a convocation discourse based on Taittiriya Upanisad, the message given out more than 5000 years ago to the graduates of Gurukul tradition. The children have been taught for 10-12 years, now it is time for them to leave the teacher and enter the world. The teacher gives them parting message … “Satyam Vada.

Dharmam Cara.” He elaborated that speaking the truth was not just ordinary truth, but the truth that God is one, and every action coming from that firm understanding is abiding in truth. And following your Dharma means performing your duty under any circumstances, keeping that truth in mind, “producing more than what we consume and giving more than what we take.”

Sindura Vangala and Trisha Mantri shared their thoughts about their experiences of spending years in Bal Vihar and expressed feelings of heartfelt gratitude towards Acharya Smt. Darshana Nanavaty and other teachers for giving them the knowledge of our scriptures and guiding them in their spiritual journey and instilling in them values of Dharma that will stay with them and guide them, when they are away getting their education in the world, and pursing other interests. Om Chitale and Anuj Mittal told the Bala Vihar children, “Go to school to learn but come to Bala Vihar to get educated, because this education will never leave you.”

As the childen proceeded to receive the graduation plaque, each child was introduced to the audience. Graduates’ most memorable moments in Bala Vihar experience included lecture on meditation and classes of Bhagavad Gita by Dharshanaben, senior citizens’ day, dance recitals for international festival, the popular Lock-Ins, winning Gita Chanting competition and the weeklong camps held at Moody Garden. The highlight of this introduction was their favorite quotes, which brought sometimes laughter and sometimes applause at the amazing insights of these young men and women about life and its mysteries. For example, one of the quote was, “Life living for others is worth living” by Elbert Einstein and other was, “Do it right the first time” by one of the parents.

Hon. Judge Ed Emmett and Mr. William E. Fitzgibbon III, the dean of college of Technology at the University of Houston were the guests of honor. Judge Emmett addressed the audience and graduates and urged them to hang on to their traditions and still move forward, and asked them to be the bridge between the ancient wisdom, traditional culture and the new environment that would make the world a wonderful place. His parting words were: “We leave today inspired by a great hope - in you all - our future.”

Over all, it was a wonderful program that left all Chinmaya Mission members with a feeling of gratitude and accomplishment, seeing the graduates transforming into blooming flowers from a delicate bud, nurtured by vedantik sunshine.

For more information and Bala Vihar registration, visit: www.chinmayahouston.org or contact: Bharati Sutaria 281-933-0233.